This week's Quinnipiac mayoral poll contained some good news for Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who has been mentioned as a potential successor to Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

The poll showed that 67 percent of New York City voters approve of the job Kelly is doing, including 77 percent of those on Staten Island.

In further breakdowns, 83 percent of city Republicans approve of Kelly's job performance, as do 62 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of independent voters.

"I like Ray," said GOP state Sen. Andy Lanza, a former city councilman who got to see Kelly up close for years at City Hall. "He's a very serious, no-nonsense guy. Someone that people on Staten Island, especially, relate to. He's in a difficult job, and has done it virtually blemish-free for a long time."

Said Lanza, "He's certainly someone that has the substance and experience to take on that sort of challenge."

Kelly, like Bloomberg, is a registered voter who does not belong to any political party.